Contents

Understand

Carlsbad has a relaxed oceanfront atmosphere away from the madness of LA, but close enough for easy access. It has beaches that are better maintained than its northern neighbor Oceanside. South of Carlsbad is the beach town of Encinitas.

Carlsbad is also a favorite destination for foreign tourists, especially Germans.

For European (and particularly Danish) tourists and young children, Carlsbad's best draw is perhaps Legoland California.

Get in

By car

Carlsbad is located about 30 miles north of San Diego on Interstate 5. The Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route 1) passes through Carlsbad as well.

By rail

Carlsbad has two train stations: Carlsbad Village (on State Street just north of Grand Avenue) on the north side and Carlsbad Poinsettia (on Avenida Encinas between Palomar Airport Road and Poinsettia Lane) on the south side. Both can be reached via the COASTER[5] regional rail line, which runs between Oceanside (northern neighbor of Carlsbad) and the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego.

If you are traveling from Los Angeles or Orange County, take Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner [6] or Metrolink's [7] Orange County Line to Oceanside. From the Oceanside Transit Center, take the COASTER, a bus, or a taxi to Carlsbad.

By air

Carlsbad's local Palomar Airport (IATA: CLD) has commercial commuter flights to Los Angeles on United Express and to North Las Vegas on Vision Airlines, as well as general aviation.

San Diego International Airport (IATA: SAN) [8] is the closest major airport to Carlsbad. From SAN, you may take San Diego Transit's Route 992 bus to the Santa Fe Depot, connect to the COASTER, and get off at the COASTER stations at either Carlsbad Poinsettia or Carlsbad Village.

John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA) [9] in Orange County is the next closest major airport; the nearest Amtrak/Metrolink stations are in Santa Ana, Tustin, and Irvine.

Get around

The North County Transit District[10] provides public bus service within Carlsbad.

Flower Fields, [12]. For six to eight weeks each year - from early March through early May, almost fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers are in full bloom. Admission to the fields is $8, though the fields are quite visible from outside as well.

Do

Carlsbad State Beach near the end of Palomar Airport Road, is one of the area's nicest beaches. In warm weather there may be stingrays, so walk carefully. The area also has an R/C Gliderport along the cliffs.

Carlsbad Village Street Faire, Grand Ave from Carlsbad Blvd to Jefferson St, ☎+1 760 931-8400, [1]. First Sunday in May and November. 900 vendors and an international food court .

Daily News Cafe. Relaxed breakfast and lunch cafe near the beach. They have Reubens on Sunday.

Fish House Veracruz located near the train station. Fresh seafood.

Jay's Gourmet. Pizza and seafood - and seafood pizza.

Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, at the Carlsbad Company Stores near Palomar Airport Rd. & I-5., [15]. A chain of unique restaurants spanning California and several other western states which has its roots in the San Diego area and is headquarterd in Carlsbad. Try an Original Fish Taco.

Drink

Pizza Port Carlsbad, 571 Carlsbad Village Dr., [16]. Beer enthusiasts will want to check out this place, which was featured in the Beer Advocate's Top 50 places to drink beer in America [17]. The pub is family-friendly, and the California-style pizza is a local favorite. They also host local beer-tastings and microbrew events.

Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!